Catholic Bishops Urge Tinubu To Safeguard Democracy, Security, Religious Freedom

By Amaka Okafor

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take decisive steps to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy, tackle worsening insecurity, protect religious freedom, and improve the living conditions of citizens, warning that failure to ensure credible elections in 2027 could plunge the country into avoidable crisis.

The call was made on Monday during a courtesy visit to the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where the newly elected President of the CBCN and Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, led a delegation of Catholic bishops. He said the visit was part of the Church’s commitment to sustaining collaboration with the Federal Government in building “a nation of justice, love and peace.”

Archbishop Ndagoso commended the Federal Government for the successful implementation of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund), describing it as a significant intervention for young Nigerians seeking higher education. However, he cautioned that the shortage of university admission spaces remains a major challenge and appealed to the government to ensure that the National Universities Commission’s moratorium on new private universities does not undermine access to tertiary education. “Only a tiny fraction of those seeking admission into universities actually gain admission because of the limited number of available spaces,” he said.

The bishops also raised concerns over Nigeria’s democratic trajectory, noting growing fears among citizens about the shrinking political space. They urged the President to preserve democratic values by ensuring fairness for all political parties and strengthening democratic institutions. “As a man who risked so much in the struggle for the return of democratic rule, your greatest legacy would be the strengthening of our democratic institutions,” Archbishop Ndagoso stated.

On the 2027 general elections, the CBCN stressed that transparent, free and credible polls are essential for Nigeria’s stability and development. The bishops urged President Tinubu to ensure that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) receives adequate funding and support to conduct elections that truly reflect the will of the people. “Anything short of transparent, free, fair and credible elections in 2027 would be an invitation to avoidable disaster,” the bishops warned.

Addressing the nation’s security challenges, the bishops congratulated the President on the recent rescue of kidnapped schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State but lamented that such successes remain isolated. They described Nigeria as increasingly unsafe due to terrorism, banditry and kidnapping, saying schools, churches, homes, farms and highways have become vulnerable to criminal attacks. “Our nation still remains a favourable destination for terrorism, banditry and high levels of insecurity that threaten our collective existence,” Archbishop Ndagoso said.

The conference further expressed concern over the economic hardship facing Nigerians, citing worsening insecurity, poor electricity supply, deteriorating road infrastructure and the rising cost of living. While acknowledging the administration’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, the bishops maintained that many citizens have yet to experience its promised benefits. “Our nation is bleeding. The citizens are suffering and crying. Words are not enough. They expect concrete action that engenders real change in their condition,” the CBCN President declared.

The bishops also appealed to President Tinubu to extend an official invitation to Pope Leo XIV to visit Nigeria, saying the Holy Father’s presence would inspire hope and strengthen national prayers for peace and unity. Archbishop Ndagoso disclosed that the Pope had expressed enthusiasm about visiting Nigeria during a meeting with the Nigerian bishops earlier this year, adding, “Our land and its people will benefit immensely from his presence and blessing.”

The CBCN further appealed to the President to facilitate the return of mission schools to their original proprietors and ensure equal protection of religious freedom across the country. Referring to the Supreme Court judgment affirming the rights of Muslim students to religious worship, the bishops urged the Federal Government to guarantee that Christians, particularly in Northern Nigeria, enjoy the same constitutional rights to acquire land for churches and worship freely. They concluded by praying for divine wisdom and strength for President Tinubu as he leads the nation toward peace, justice and prosperity.